Fantasy Analysis

Less conventional fantasy stack options for best-ball players

By Brandon Marianne Lee &bullet;
Jun 4, 2017

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 02: Philip Rivers #17 and Hunter Henry #86 of the San Diego Chargers celebrate in the end zone after a touchdown in the first half against the New Orleans Saints at Qualcomm Stadium on October 2, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

“Originality is nothing but judicious imitation.” – Voltaire

MFL10s are up and running. As I type these words, user “rosenhaus factor” already drafted 344 teams. He’s the leader, but “aaron h” is right behind him with 335 MFL10s under his belt. People are drafting, and trends have emerged.

Earlier this week I spoke about elite stacks you can target to up your team’s overall variance, like you’re entering a DFS tournament. You want to go all in like this when a small percentage of the top performers will win anything at all.

If you want to step up the variance, but do so in the later rounds, you’ll want to get creative.

Here are some unconventional stacking options to consider when you’re drafting your optimal best-ball lineup. If you’re sneaky, maybe no one will notice. All is fair in love and fantasy football.

Late-round QB/TE combinations

Rob Gronkowski goes off the board in the first or second round. Travis Kelce and Jordan Reed go in the third through fifth. All other tight ends go in the fifth round or later. Therefore, a TE/QB stack could be the low-cost/high-reward option you need for MFL10 success.

Philip Rivers and Hunter Henry, Los Angles Chargers

It’s still weird typing out “Los Angeles Chargers.” Our own Dan Schneier wrote about how Philip Rivers is primed to be the “late-round quarterback” who could take you to your fantasy championship. I wrote earlier that I see red flags, but there’s no denying the potential. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Rivers had an incredible first eight games, and then was rendered ineffective for the final eight games. If Rivers can maintain early-season momentum in 2017, then his Round 9 ADP will look like a steal. And even if he does slump, there will still be touchdowns, and they will likely go to Henry. Henry tied with Cameron Brate last season with eight touchdowns, a league-high among tight ends. And Henry did that as a rookie, with perennial fantasy superstar Antonio Gates still on the field and working toward the all-time tight end touchdown record. Gates tied Tony Gonzalez’ record last season, and he only needs one more to break it outright. Look for Rivers to get his soon-to-be 37-year-old teammate that record, but then to shift to Henry. Touchdowns aren’t as predictive as usage, but considering Gates scored seven or more touchdowns in all but two of his 13 years with Rivers under center, a Henry/Rivers pairing could work out nicely.